In Town, Atop A Hill, Along A Stream--lodging For Every Taste

October 06, 1985|By Carolyn McGuire.

La Residence, 4066 St. Helena Hwy., N. 707-253-0337. Seven rooms in the three-level main house (several rooms with fireplaces) and eight bed/sitting rooms with private baths and fireplaces in the ``barn.`` Three rooms in the main house share two baths. Antique furnishings throughout. Outdoor whirlpool spa. Continental breakfast. $60-$115.

Old World Inn, 1301 Jefferson St., 707-257-0112. Elegant Victorian B&B with eight rooms, each decorated in a different color scheme. Most rooms have a half- or full-canopy bed. Private baths. Outdoor whirlpool spa. Wine and cheese in the evening and sweets when you return from dinner. Continental breakfast. $75-$100.

Sybron House, 7400 St. Helena Hwy., 707-944-2785. Spectacular view of the valley from this B&B that`s high on a hill, one mile north of Yountville. Three rooms, each with private bath. Tennis court and spa. Continental breakfast. $90.

ST. HELENA (ZIP 94574)

The Ambrose Bierce House, 1515 Main St., 707-963-3003. Exquisitely restored 19th Century home named after the author who wrote ``The Devil`s Dictionary`` and lived in St. Helena. Two suites with the four rooms named after Bierce, actress Lily Langtry, Eadweard Muybridge (``father of the motion picture``) and Lillie Hitchcock Coit, the legendary ``Belle of San Francisco.`` Individual room rates start at $75; suites from $130-$180.

Bale Mill Inn, 3431 N. St. Helena Hwy., 707-963-4545. Owner Tom Scheibal`s inn above his antiques shop is one of the most interesting places to stay in the valley. He has named four of the five bedrooms after Emily Dickinson, Ernest Hemingway, Teddy Roosevelt and Jack London, who lived in nearby Glen Ellen. Memorabilia reflecting their lives fills each room. Two 46- star flags are in the Teddy Roosevelt room and a safari hat hangs in the Hemingway room. The rooms share 2 1/2 baths. Continental breakfast. $60-$65.

Bartels Ranch, 1200 Conn Valley Rd., 707-963-4001. Jami Bartels` lovely B&B inn is on a 100-acre secluded estate. Three bedrooms, one with an orthopedic waterbed. All have private baths. Swimming pool and whirlpool. Huge living room has a pool table, table tennis, fireplace and TV. Wine and cheese in the afternoon and a continental breakfast included in the $95-$125 rates.

Chalet Bernensis, 225 St. Helena Hwy., 707-963-4423. Victorian home built in 1884. Opened in 1975 as a B&B. In 1979, the owners erected a replica of a water tower and turned it into four guest rooms, each with private bath and fireplace ($75-$95). Each of the five rooms in the carriage house also has a private bath and fireplace ($75-$95). Rates for the five rooms in the main house--all share a bath--start at $54. Early American and Victorian antiques throughout the rooms. Next to the Sutter Home Winery.

Creekwood, 850 Conn Valley Rd., 707-963-3590. Great place for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. A secluded cottage with hot tub on a deck overlooking a creek. Inside the cedar-paneled suite is a fireplace, antique canopy bed and kitchenette. Continental breakfast. $130.

Deer Run, 3995 Spring Mountain Rd., 707-963-3794. Tom and Carol Wilson have one of the coziest B&Bs around. Located up the road from ``Falcon Crest,`` this tranquil place features private baths in both rooms. One room has a fireplace. Pool. If the weather`s good, the deck is a great place to have your continental breakfast and watch the wildlife. $55-$65.

Miramonte Inn, 1327 Railroad Ave., 707-963-3970. Early American decor in the two two-room suites--one with a double bed, the other with a queen-size bed. Private baths. Breakfast not included. $60.50 and $71.50 (tax included). The Hyphen, P.O. Box 190, 707-942-0434. Very romantic setting, high on Diamond Mountain Road. Two secluded cottages, decorated in Early American style, have patios, Franklin stoves and private baths--shower in one and tub in the other. Duplex suite done in Oriental motif in main house with fireplace in bedroom. Private bath. $90 single or double occupancy. Outdoor pool. Continental breakfast. Owned by Suzanne and Edouard Platel, co-owner of Miramonte Restaurant.